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Sumatran Rhino
Dicerorhinus sumatrensis
-4.49783, 96.9362
Field Notes
Description:
This is a small rhinoceros weighing in between 600 - 900kg, standing between 1 - 1.5m at the shoulder with a body length of between 2-3 meters. (Average of mature males and females). It is the only Asian Rhino to have two horns. 'Rhino horn is not medicine'. These are both relatively short with the front one measuring between 25-80 cm and the back one generally less than 10cm. Also known as the Hairy Rhinoceros, due to the sometimes dense coat of reddish hair covering its body. The one here is a 5yr old male.
Habitat:
In this case this rhino was seen in dense tropical lowland forest on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Once widespread, the decline in range and population has been tragic. Now only found in small fragmented populations in dense forest and usually under strict and rigorous management. A small population recently discovered in Kalimantan (North Borneo) but the only one captured subsequently died of a poachers snare wound. For this spotting exact coordinates and location have been modified to help protect this animal.
Notes:
There are thought to be now less than 100 of these magnificent creatures left on earth. Small populations are managed in native forest at three sites in Sumatra all under armed guard. Several other breeding programmes have been tried in various places around the globe over the years but all have failed. The status of the animal is now critical with the breeding rate so low and the genetic diversity so small that bringing them back seems almost impossible. The work being done is incredible and I feel extremely privileged to have been able to see these animals there. Ref: International Rhino Foundation
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